TCI News
TCI: Premier Signs OCT Declaration on Ocean
#Providenciales, November 1, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – PThe Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson signed a Declaration on Ocean during the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Association’s Conference on Oceans held in Brussels, Belgium on the 16 – 17 October 2019. Turks and Caicos Islands made representation at the Conference with the ceremonial signing of the OCT Declaration on Ocean as part of the two-day event.
The Overseas Countries and Territories associated with the European Union are largely oceanic territories. Their existence and their survival are inseparably linked to Oceans for food, livelihoods, water, oxygen, climate, socio-economic growth, culture and tourism. The Turks and Caicos Islands depends very heavily on Oceans for similar reasons; sourcing food, jobs for locals and largely as an attraction to millions of visitors to the Islands per year. To ensure that TCI’s Oceans are protected, maintained and ensure the collection of data to assist with sustainability research and conservation efforts, the Declaration was signed.
The OCT Declaration on Ocean which aims to promote sustainable natural resources, conservation of biodiversity and management of oceans was developed with four (4) main objectives: –
1) To conserve and sustainably use the environmental value of Oceans
2) Foster the economic value of Oceans and support a sustainable Blue Economy
3) Stimulate the social value of Oceans
4) Develop regional, European, global and inter-OCTs collaboration, with the support of Member-States having a link with OCTs to:
a) take a harmonised regional and territorial approach to improve the maritime monitoring (illegal fishing, pollutants, etc) using common protocols and shared technology while recognising the differences between the OCT’s marine areas;
b) Cooperate between OCTs in marine research and innovation;
c) Promte human and institutional capacity to advance ocean governance and management by OCTs;
d) Capitalise effors by a coordinated involvement in international fora and act as embassador for Oceans;
e) Optimise the use of available EU funding, with a particular view on new opportunities that will be available in the EU programme post 2020 which are of interest of Oceans and OCTs;
f) Keep abreast with European policy developments when appropriate, with a view of getting involved in future initiatives for Oceans.
With growing human populations and activities, Oceans are suffering from pollution, overexploitation, coastal degradation and the effects of climate change. Warmer seas temperatues, increased intensity of storms, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, coral bleaching, ocean acidification and significant increased pollution by plastics are all major issues threathening the sustinability of our Oceans and can have an impact on human health.
The Turks and Caicos Islands increasingly moving toward a greener more environmentally conscious lifestyle, through its enacted Ban on single use plastics and the impending ban on the importation of polystyrenes along with noteworthy investment in research and data collection by TCIG to properly manage and govern the use of our marine environment and the protection of our coast lines has been a heavy focus for TCI Government.
The signing of this Declaration ensures that TCI remains compliant with international conservation standards and best pratices and that the country has access to the most recent data and technologies in the region that can inform and boost the sustainable use of our natural resources.
More than 15 OCTs signed the OCT Declaration on Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands included. The Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) with the support of the European Commission, organised the Conference on Oceans chaired by Prime Minister of Curaçao, M. Rhuggenaath. Panellists included four Members of the European Parliament, representatives of several Directorates General of the European Commission, representatives of the Member States to which OCTs are associated and political delegations from 21 OCTs.
The OCTAssociation is a non-profit organization operating out of Belgium and has 22 members – including inhabited OCTs and TAAF (French Southern and Atlantic Lands). Its highest decision-making authority is the Ministerial Conference which consists of the representatives (Political Heads of Government or delegates) of each member Government.
Release: TCIG
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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